^2 



With man. Does man bear the same relation to other 

 more perfect beings above, which he does to those less 

 perfect beneath him? Is there a race yet to appear, 

 whose intellectual and moral developments will as far 

 exceed ours, as ours the Infusoria which our eyes be- 

 hold agitating the putressent mass? Oh awful con- 

 templation—Oh wonderful future. From it, let us 

 turn, and be content to know ourselves — Know that 

 as the rock which dissolves into soil at our feet, and 

 produces the mould whence we reap our daily bread; 

 and the insect that lives its wonted time and dies, to 

 accomplish the work assigned it by their Creator; 

 we have great moral and intellectual offices to per- 

 form. Shall we in view of our high destinies lie dowir 

 and care only for ourselves? Let each man be up and 

 active in his appropriate sphere. Let not the advanc- 

 ing age reproach us, that while the rocks, the minerals, 

 the brutes, are active and busy in the great occupations 

 of nature, man only is slothful, useless, and indifferent. 



And will any one say, "I am but a small part in the 

 great system of the universe, — Let those who have ta- 

 lents, and influence, and w^ealth, be the actors; I will 

 be a passive spectator while nature advances in her 

 truths, and evolves the destiny of the earth and of man." 

 Nature will vindicate her laws on you who hold these 

 sentiments. The decree will go forth — "cut them 

 down, why cumber they the ground." There is no 

 escaping the dreadful judgments visited upon those, 

 who, having understanding, are sluggards in their times 

 and opportunities. Over such a nation will be heard 

 the wail of outcast freedom; from their women will 

 go forth the shrieks which rose from the burning Isles 

 of Scio ; from their men the lamentations of Persia 



